Telling your dog he is too old

[Blacksheep]

Yeah this is harder than it sounds. So Luna and I go for 4 1/2 mile walks every morning and are working on jogging. Spyro has been begging to come so today, I brought him on a short run. So short that we walked probably a mile (he is used to walking two) and did a slow paced jog for about an 8th of that mile. He trotted along behind us.

I plan on taking him for walks every night (same mile minus the jogging lol) but I have no doubt in my mind that he will still beg to come on our morning runs. So guys, how do you do it? How do you tell a dog hes too old?

[FlickeringHope]

Are you sure it's because he's old, and not because he just prefers to "stop and smell the roses"? Or, if you're the dominant one in the household, maybe Spyro is hanging back because due to his age, he naturally falls lower in the hierarchy and thus his place is not up front.

[Kendalle]

spyro is little right? you could get a dog stroller, and put him in it after his walk is done and keep going with luna. even if your dog is too old to go the whole way he can't realize it and just knows you are leaving him behind. Plus when Luna gets too old you can use the stroller for her as well.

[Purple-Hops]

Just slow down your jog for Spyro to keep up. Age will happen, while he may be okay jogging a bit with you he has aging joints and sore muscles. A quick pace walk and jog will catch up to him, go for the jog with the younger dog and since he's young he won't mind going with Spyro for a light walk later.
Even at 14 years old, my dog was ready for 4 walks a day. Granted I shortened them more and more until he just went out on the street (cul-de-sac) unleashed.
Dogs will be eager to please you until their last breathing day. He will creaking and moaning but he will get up and go with you. He doesn't care about how he feels, he wants to see you happy. So your duty is to take it easy for his sake.

[Dragonrain]

How old is Spyro?

[Blacksheep]

Quote: Originally Posted by FlickeringHope Are you sure it's because he's old, and not because he just prefers to "stop and smell the roses"? Or, if you're the dominant one in the household, maybe Spyro is hanging back because due to his age, he naturally falls lower in the hierarchy and thus his place is not up front.

Oh yeah hes actually slowing up because of age. When we first got Luna, we would all go on two miles walks because she was just too young to run. Spyro was clearly sore at the end so I started doing a mile walk and then taking the dogs off leash in our very back yard (which was an acre but the fence wasn't always reliable so they weren't allowed back there by themselves.) I miss that big yard lol.

Quote: Originally Posted by Kendalle spyro is little right? you could get a dog stroller, and put him in it after his walk is done and keep going with luna. even if your dog is too old to go the whole way he can't realize it and just knows you are leaving him behind. Plus when Luna gets too old you can use the stroller for her as well.

I really like this idea. Thanks. I wanted to get a bike trailer so I could start hiking with everyone. I threw out the idea for the trailer that could convert but now it sounds like an awesome idea.

Quote: Originally Posted by Dragonrain How old is Spyro?

Spyro is 12. Don't tell him that. He still thinks he is 2.